Army’s Legacy was founded by Amanda Armstrong, an assistant animal control officer in Connecticut and breast cancer survivor with a passion for helping animals. The rescue’s name comes from Amanda’s beloved family pet who unfortunately lost his battle with cancer at a far too early age. Amanda’s passion for helping animals spills over from her rescue efforts to her pet sitting business, which allows her to provide care and companionship for even more four-legged friends. Here’s what Amanda had to say about her rescue efforts and what saving animals is all about.
How did Army’s Legacy get started?
Amanda Armstrong is the visionary who conceptualized Army’s Legacy Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. She has been active in animal rescue since 2014, and quickly became a respected and sought-after name in Connecticut. Amanda is an Assistant Animal Control Officer, and owner of the pet sitting business raved about by her clients—Pawz Around the World, LLC.
In early 2019, Amanda was diagnosed with Stage 2B Breast Cancer. She took on the challenge with spirit, grace, honesty, and incredible strength. As a survivor, she has become an inspiration to many. She learned from her journey, and believes in fighting for what is genuine, positive, and fulfilling. This kept her active in saving dogs as she saved herself. Amanda wants to be the change in animal rescue. She decided to step back, breathe, and take control of the industry by becoming the true and caring voice of animals in need. She directed her energies and enthusiasm into creating Army’s Legacy.
Amanda’s vision for Army’s Legacy is three-fold: to save dogs at risk, to educate and provide resources for the public, owners, and other rescues, and to build a true dog sanctuary in Connecticut. She envisions a place where dogs for whom all avenues have been exhausted, who have nobody and nowhere to go, are on hospice, or are simply unwanted, can live out their lives in safety, comfort, health, and peace, never alone.
Amanda’s family continue to support, assist, and admire her through her journeys. Her beautiful children, Cody and Ava, and wonderful stepsons, Mason and Brandon, bring Amanda joy and gratitude every single day. She is also the proud dog mom to six amazing, rescued fur-babies—Carmel, Stanley, Navy, Darcy, Meadow, and Tesha.
Amanda honors her dear Rottweiler, Army, who passed of cancer in 2018, with Army’s Legacy… a movement, a journey, a force as great as the love he shared with all!
What made you want to start a rescue?
PASSION.
How long have you been operating?
We started 02/21/2021– present day.
Tell us about your rescue.
Army’s Legacy is a positive force in dog rescue: An organization creating positive energy in the industry and focusing on the best interest of each animal. With organized, calm, comfortable, and effective care for every pet, Army’s Legacy provides a feeling of safety and protection, love, hope, family, and home for those with no voice.
As Army’s Legacy welcomes each animal, volunteer, and participant with respect and warmth, we expect the industry to follow and engage in the same positive ethic. Army’s Legacy is grateful to all animal rescue organizations for providing care for our furry friends and works in conjunction with many. Please reach out if your organization has an animal in need.
Is there anything that sets you apart from other rescues/shelters?
Our mission is to save the neglected, abused, and discarded. Educate. Advocate. Provide Resources.
The help, and the advice we provide is something that many rescues don’t take the time to give.
We also take the hardest cases, behavioral and medical, where others only take the EASY pup. We listen to people.
Why is saving animals so important to you?
The number of animals being abandoned, neglected, and euthanized is horrific. If more people worked together to rehabilitate them, we could find healthy, happy homes for them.
Is there any significance to the Army’s Legacy name?
Meet Army.
Army was the Armstrong family’s beloved Rottweiler, lost too soon. He passed of cancer at the age of five. Army was special, not only to the family, but to all who met him.
When Army was diagnosed with cancer, Amanda contacted the breeder to let him know. Any responsible breeder would want this information, but this one could not care less. It was an enlightening moment for Amanda and one that helped cement her commitment to founding Army’s Legacy Rescue and Sanctuary.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
ITS ALL ABOUT THE LEGACIES!
An animal becomes a Legacy™ the moment they become involved with Army’s Legacy. Forever. Once given a title of Legacy, our precious Legacies will never again be abused, neglected, or discarded. That Legacy is ours to protect and even after becoming a loved member of your family, remains part of our family forever.
This Rescue Spotlight is sponsored by The Proper Barbershop.